diallo_gabriel1280
Gabriel Diallo is off to a strong start on grass.
The Canadian beat Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 7-5, 7-6 (2) at the Libema Open on Monday in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Diallo, 23, rode a strong serve to victory, firing 13 aces without a double-fault. The Montreal native also converted his one break point while fending off four from the 79th-ranked Vukic.
The tournament marks the first warmup event in advance of Wimbledon, which begins June 30.
Ranked 55th, Diallo appears set to play at the marquee grass-court major for the first time in his career after missing qualifying each of the past two seasons.
Also Monday, fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez was playing a first-round match at the Queen’s Club Championships in London.